Archive · 8 Sep 2026
IIT Mandi Faces Anti-Dalit Poster Controversy After Janmashtami
IIT Mandi is investigating a poster that was allegedly displayed during a Janmashtami celebration.
The poster was described as anti-Dalit.
SFI Himachal Pradesh criticized the incident.
It said the incident violated Article 28 of India’s Constitution.
IIT Mandi created a committee to examine what happened.
The committee had nine members.
It found and seized the banner as evidence.
The institute now plans to ask the police to investigate.
The event was organized by students from different courses rather than an institute department.
IIT Mandi is facing backlash over an alleged anti-Dalit poster displayed during Janmashtami celebrations.
SFI Himachal Pradesh condemned the incident and called it a violation of Article 28 of India’s Constitution.
The institute said it will refer the matter to police for a criminal investigation after its internal inquiry.
A nine-member fact-finding committee seized the purported banner as evidence.
The committee said the September 4 event was organized by students, not an institute department.
- Who
- IIT Mandi, SFI Himachal Pradesh, and students from different courses are involved.
- What
- An alleged anti-Dalit poster displayed during a Janmashtami event is being investigated.
- When
- The event took place on Friday, September 4; the police referral was announced on Tuesday.
- Where
- The incident occurred on the IIT Mandi campus in Himachal Pradesh.
- Why
- The institute is referring the matter to police after its internal inquiry, while SFI condemned the alleged poster as a violation of Article 28.
Critics’ view
Institute’s response
Nature of the poster
Critics’ view
SFI Himachal Pradesh condemned the alleged poster and described it as anti-Dalit.
Institute’s response
IIT Mandi said its committee found and confiscated the purported poster as evidence, while the matter proceeds toward a criminal investigation.
Constitutional concern
Critics’ view
SFI Himachal Pradesh termed the incident a violation of Article 28 of the Constitution of India.
Institute’s response
The institute did not publicly endorse that characterization in the reported response and instead said it would refer the matter to police.
Responsibility for the event
Critics’ view
The controversy concerns a poster displayed during a campus religious celebration.
Institute’s response
The institute’s preliminary findings indicated that the event was not organized by any department; students from different courses organized it.
- Institution
- Indian Institute of Technology Mandi
- Location
- Himachal Pradesh, India
- Event
- Janmashtami celebration
- Date of event
- Friday, September 4
- Inquiry panel
- Nine-member fact-finding committee
- Evidence
- The purported banner was seized
- Next step
- Referral to police for a criminal investigation